Dividing the Spoils

"A Skillful Blade? Even a Famed Blade?"

Zoro's eyes immediately lit up. No swordsman could resist blades of that caliber.

Honestly, he was tempted.

Not only by the Famed Blades, but also by everything Ener had mentioned.

He harbored the ambition of becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Master Swordsmen, Great Swordsmen, and an even broader world beyond them. That truly was what he had dreamed of...

"Whew..."

Zoro took a deep breath, then nodded.

Ener smiled. "Welcome aboard!"

"This time, your killing of Blood Butcher and Black Bear will count as merits earned after joining the Marines. That way, you'll at least be promoted to Lieutenant, and you might even become a Captain."

Zoro did not care much about rank and merely nodded.

But Lina, standing to the side, leaned over. "What about me?"

Ener replied, "You killed Kasli and captured two pirates with million-berry bounties. A Lieutenant's rank is guaranteed."

Then Ener looked toward Gin and Daniel.

"You two: Gin will also be a Lieutenant, while Daniel will be an Ensign."

Gin remained perfectly calm, but Daniel's face was filled with excitement. He had waited for this day for a very, very long time. He had never expected that after following Ener for only a month, his wish would be fulfilled so directly.

Ener patted him on the shoulder. "You're satisfied with being a mere Ensign? When the opportunity comes, I'll put you in command of a Marine base. Of course, with your rank, it can only be a small base. But as long as you manage the base and the island well, getting promoted again in the future won't be a problem."

Ener was not merely making empty promises. He had long since made plans for Daniel.

If he wanted to control the entire East Blue, the first thing he needed to do was replace all the base commanders in the East Blue with his own people.

Daniel was only the beginning.

Daniel grew even more excited upon hearing that. "Thank you, Captain Ener. I, Daniel, will be loyal to you for the rest of my life, with no divided loyalties."

Ener nodded in satisfaction.

Then he turned to the fifty Marines. "You helped me take down the entire Black Thorn Island. Such merit is absolutely unparalleled in the East Blue. Therefore, I'll recommend that every one of you be promoted by one rank."

The moment those words came out, everyone burst into cheers.

Ener pressed his hand downward, and everyone fell silent. It had to be said that by now, Ener's prestige among them was no less than Smoker's.

Ener said, "Daniel, move all the valuables from the pirate crews over here. This time, divide one-tenth of the spoils among all the brothers. Then take another two-tenths and distribute it among Zoro, Lina, Gin, you, and Johnson."

At that point, he paused before immediately adding, "From now on, after defeating pirates, all seized valuables will be distributed this way."

"Uh..."

Daniel hesitated somewhat. After all, Marine rules stated that all seized goods had to be turned over to the state.

Ener narrowed his eyes. This was a test.

If he passed it, Daniel would truly become one of his own from this day onward.

After struggling for a while, Daniel's gaze became firm. He gave Ener a Marine salute. "Yes, Captain Ener!"

"That's great..."

The fifty Marine soldiers were all thrilled beyond measure. Their monthly pay was not much, after all.

It might have only been one-tenth for them.

But with the wealth of so many pirate crews, even one-tenth of it, and even after that one-tenth was divided fifty ways, it was still an enormous fortune to them.

At the very least, it was worth ten or twenty years of their wages.

Johnson was also overjoyed. He had never expected to receive a share as well. And he was being given the same treatment as Zoro, Lina, Gin, and Daniel.

At that moment, Ener's gaze fell on Johnson. "From now on, you'll be the chief logistics officer aboard my ship. Your rank will be raised as well!"

Johnson was ecstatic. "Thank you for cultivating me. From this day onward, I will follow your lead in everything. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it without a second word."

Ener nodded. "Very good."

He had indeed raised Johnson to this position because he had something for him to do. But that would come later.

Finally, Ener waved his hand. "Then get moving!"

Daniel immediately led his men to begin transporting the valuables from the pirate ships.

They worked with tremendous enthusiasm!

They were happier than if they were getting married!

Because some of the valuables they were carrying belonged to them!

Most importantly, Daniel and Johnson had shown them hope. As long as they worked hard under Ener, one day they too would be valued and entrusted with important duties.

They would get money, and they had a future.

Was there anything in life more worth celebrating than that?

At that moment, Ener took out a Den Den Mushi and called Smoker...

Although he was an Inspector,

nominally, he was still under Smoker's command. After all, Smoker was the highest-ranking officer in the East Blue.

When Smoker heard Ener's report,

his eyes widened. "You wiped out Black Thorn Island? Of the six pirates with bounties over ten million, only one escaped? And you even captured several pirates with million-berry bounties along the way?"

His face was full of disbelief.

That was right, Ener's strength had once impressed him greatly. But it was still nowhere near enough to face six opponents alone and kill five pirates with bounties over ten million.

Even with Gin added in, it had still been a two-against-six situation.

But he soon understood.

Because Ener submitted a promotion list.

Former pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro, a Three-Sword Style swordsman, killed Blood Butcher, captain of the Bloody Hand Pirates, and Black Bear, captain of the Black Bear Pirates, after joining the Marines. Recommended for promotion to Captain.

Former Loguetown resident Lina, Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger ability user and Iron-Cutting Realm swordswoman, killed Kasli, captain of the Kasli Pirates, after joining the Marines. Recommended for promotion to Lieutenant.

Former Krieg Pirates officer Gin killed Red Fox, captain of the Trickery Pirates, after joining the Marines. Recommended for promotion to Lieutenant.

Daniel commanded the Marines in destroying five pirate ships and showed merit in command. Recommended for promotion to Lieutenant.

All Marines assisted in wiping out Black Thorn Island and showed merit. Recommended for a collective promotion of two ranks.

After hearing Ener's promotion list, Smoker could not help letting out an odd laugh.

Because he immediately saw that Ener had deliberately reported everyone's ranks one level higher.

That way, given such accomplishments, the higher-ups

could not possibly suppress their promotions by two ranks, could they?

Wouldn't that be too damaging to morale?

After all, this was considered the greatest achievement in the East Blue in recent years.

But if they did not suppress the promotions, or only suppressed them by one rank, then Ener's goal would be achieved... "Kid, you really are Burns's son. That little scheme of yours..."

Then he changed the subject. "But it's not a big problem. After all, you really did render great service this time."

As he spoke, he made special note of two people: Roronoa Zoro and Lina.

Lina in particular. If he remembered correctly, that Devil Fruit should have been something Burns had gone to great lengths to obtain for Ener.

Yet Ener had simply handed it over to her.